USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -On December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan because on the morning of December 7, 1941, naval and air forces of Japan had launched the attack on the United States naval base Pearl Harbor. This attack also marked the entry of US into the World War II.

Detailed explanation-2: -Japan intended the attack as a preventive action. Its aim was to prevent the United States Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and those of the United States.

Detailed explanation-3: -On this date, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, addressing the nation in a Joint Session in the House Chamber, asked Congress to declare war against Japan in response to the surprise attack against American naval facilities in and around Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a day earlier.

Detailed explanation-4: -While there is no single correct or simple reason for the attack, this lesson should help students realize that Japan’s motivation for attacking Pearl Harbor was driven by its political self-interests, its scarcity of economic resources and perceived opportunity costs, and America’s embargo policy.

Detailed explanation-5: -On December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt delivered this “Day of Infamy Speech.” Immediately afterward, Congress declared war, and the United States entered World War II.